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Traditions
Why We Are the Gamecocks
from the JSU Football Guide 2002 "Go Eagle Owls!" would be the resounding cry from Paul Snow Stadium today if ardent fans hadn't decided 50 years ago that the school mascot should be a bird of a different feather. Jacksonville State University's first football team was fielded in the late 1800s and nicknamed in honor of a rare predatory bird found near the Arctic Circle. The exact details are lost to history, but a group of fans decided it was hard for the school's image to soar like an eagle if the team's name was something of a turkey. People like E.C. Wilson, Bruce Chase and Charles Sprayberry felt a more collegiate-sounding moniker would be more appropriate. The supporters looked to Southern culture rather than the North Pole to symbolize the school's tough spirit. Tongue firmly planted in beak, Gamecock supporters crowed the loudest, and the University found itself with a new identity: a mascot familiar to everyone, including the farm boys who comprised most of the student body back then. For nearly a half-century - up until 1946 - the fledgling Eagle Owls hooted with pride from the scanty facilities adjacent to the field at John Forney National Guard Armory. The State Normal School (SNS) team was sparse by today's standards, but the gridiron action was competitive from the start. Present day rivalries such as Samford (Howard College) and Troy State were rooted in those early games. The team had only 23 players when SNS was renamed Jacksonville Teachers College in 1946, with Head Coach Don Salls beginning his first season, but there was a "big school" atmosphere developing in the foothills. Along with the new name came new colors. The blue and gold were tossed out in favor of the familiar red and white worn by the area high school players. The story goes that there were two camps - those who wanted to keep the Eagle Owl nickname and those who wanted new colors. Legend has it that a compromise was worked out; new colors for a new mascot. It was all worked out by 1947 when the Fighting Gamecocks took to the field for the first time. And, as is true to the nature of the warlike bird itself, the football team and other athletes fought their way to respectability in intercollegiate ranks - eventually bringing home a national championship in every major sport.
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Memorial and Honorary Brick Walk, The Alumni House
In front of the Alumni House, the sidewalk is lined with custom bricks that have been purchased by alumni and friends of JSU. Each brick is imprinted with names of past alumni and friends who are either being honored or memorialized. The path is a popular site at homecoming when alumni return to stroll its length, remember good times, smile and sometimes wipe away a tear. Bricks can be purchased through the alumni office for $50 and those monies are placed in a scholarship account in the JSU Foundation to be used to match alumni scholarship funds. It is a great way to leave your legacy at your alma mater! Put your name in stone at the alumni house!
 Days of Remembrance
Each year, the university community comes together to participate in the September 11 and Holocaust Remembrance Services. The September 11 service is held on the lawn in front of Bibb Graves to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the terrorism attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. The occasion includes local military, fire and rescue ceremonies as well as speeches by area dignitaries, followed by prayer and the playing of Taps. The Holocaust Remembrance Service takes place each spring and honors the memory of the millions of Jews who perished in concentration camps during World War II. A Holocaust survivor speaks, and the winners of K-12 Holocaust remembrance writing and speaking contests share their writing. Both events are very close to the hearts of JSU faculty, students and staff and are always well attended.
JSU’s National Championships (6) Football: 1992 Men’s Basketball: 1985 Baseball: 1990, 1991 Gymnastics: 1984, 1985 JSU’s Conference Championships (75) Rifle (6): 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Football (11): 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2003, 2004 Baseball (12): 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1989, 2004*, 2005, 2006*, 2008 Men’s Basketball (6): 1975, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992 Women’s Basketball (2): 1991, 1993 Volleyball (6): 1991, 1992, 2005*, 2006, 2006*, 2007 Men’s Tennis (8): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2005*, 2007, 2007*, 2009* Women’s Tennis (7): 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 Men’s Golf (5): 1997, 2002, 2003, 3004, 2007 Women’s Golf (4): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Softball (7): 1990, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2008*, 2009  I'll Fly Away
After football games when the Southerners perform their show post-game, before everyone disperses, the band members gather close in to the 50-yard line, put their arms around each other and sing an old gospel favorite, with a special twist. We won't share the signature Southerners style here because it must be experienced live, but we're offering you a hint within the lyrics:
Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll Fly Away.
To a home on God's celestial shore I'll Fly Away. I'll Fly Away, Oh! Glory! I'll Fly Away IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!! When I Die, Hallelujah By and By, I'll Fly Away..... Shrimp Boil at the Alumni House The Calhoun County Alumni Chapter's Spring Shrimp Boil started in April 2005. The first year, there were around 80 people in attendance. The second year, there were over 100 people. For the third annual event, there were just over 200 people in attendance, and in 2009, the fourth annual event had over 230 people present! We'd say this is one JSU tradition that's gaining momentum! Come back soon for more on these JSU Traditions: A Cappella, Gospel and Show Choirs Gamecock Gallop Fan Day President's Pin Tailgating Past Traditions No Longer Observed: Rat Week and Red Beanies Have we overlooked a great JSU tradition? If so, e-mail us and we'll include it here! |
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